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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Combining watercolor & digital painting for my fantasy book cover

In an earlier post, I talked about how excited I was to
discover the world of digital painting. Today, I want to share some of my work.
After lots of practice attempts with small projects and a mountain of research
about technique, I began my first large project—the book cover for the first in
my epic fantasy romance series—Seeking a
Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One.

I’ve painted with watercolors regularly for decades and
wanted to combine the techniques. I began with a line drawing and a simple
watercolor of the dragon figure I wanted to use. The painting was, by my
standards, one-third finished. As my research guided me, I focused to develop
texture with painting, which is a strength of that medium compared to
Photoshop. I scanned my painting and this is the raw image.

I used a stock image for the background and added my dragon.

Then the work began, using the amazing color and shadow
abilities of Photoshop.

It took several long days to get from this stage to the
final look I was pleased with.

For my next cover, I want to learn new skills. The project
is a big step up in difficulty with a background I must modify a lot. Also, the
character will be human, a more difficult drawing/painting step that I’ll spend
much more time with than the dragon. And, I have a 4-inch stack of new
technique books to read for guidance. Lots of time, but also lots of fun!

Description—Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend
One

Lyra
McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels, but until she opens a selection
from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no idea he’s a wizard character who
lives a double life inside that volume…or the story’s magic will compel her
from the edge of depression to adventure, danger, and love.

His
gift to Lyra, the Book of Dragonspeir,
was actually her copy, misplaced years ago. Lost in her pain following divorce
and death, she fails to recognize him as her childhood playmate from the
fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction sparks. But Lyra doubts whether
a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should she protect her fragile heart or
risk new love?

Opening the book’s cover, she confronts a quest: save Dragonspeir
from destruction by the Black Dragon before he utilizes power of August’s red moon
to expand his strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge,
fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins. Along with magical animal guides,
Cullen helps her through many perils, but ultimately Lyra must use her own
power…and time is running out.

The smell of anise
greeted Lyra as she opened the door to Drake’s bookstore. It took her back to
happy childhood memories. Licorice-shoe-string-rewards for following her
parents’ requests to stay on the dock while they secured the family’s pleasure
boat to its trailer. The aroma brought a fleeting remembrance of times long
gone, a treasure now that her folks had recently passed. At ease with the
familiar scent, she settled into browsing through rows of antique bookcases.

The shop owner
stuck his head around a set of shelves. “Do you like tea?”

“Yes, I do.”
Before she could finish speaking, he disappeared. “Is that the wonderful
smell?” she called out.

Kitchenware
clinked in the back room. Receiving no answer, Lyra followed the noises,
scanning collections as she walked. This bookshop appeared established, but
surely she would have remembered it from her last visit to the Lake Huron
village five years ago. Books were her passion, especially fantasy. She paused
in front of that section and studied its titles.

The owner appeared,
holding a pewter tray with a teapot, two cups, sugar jar, spoons, and napkins,
which he laid on the corner of an old library table. She watched him carefully
pour the tea and hand her a cup. He was about her age, mid thirties or a bit
older, and handsome. His medium brown hair, peppered with gray at the temples, grazed
his shoulders in wavy layers, and his beard was trimmed into a neat goatee. He
wore long shorts, a knit golf shirt, and sandals—typical casual attire for this
island resort community.

She set down her
bag from the drugstore and accepted his offer with a smile. “Thanks. My name’s
Lyra.” She blew across the hot surface of the tea to cool it and then inhaled
the anise-scented steam. She closed her eyes to fully enjoy the memory. “Ah!”

“Afternoons of
boating and licorice with your parents? Right?” he asked.

Her mouth dropped
open. How did he know that?

He slurped from
his cup. “Go ahead, take a sip. My folks gave me the same reward for taking my
kid sister along on bicycle rides.”

Forgetting all
about the tea, she asked, “How do you know my childhood memory?”

“Taste it.” His
lips curled into a sly grin as he took another gulp.

She cautiously
took a tiny sip, just enough to wet her lips and the tip of her tongue. The flavor flooded her mouth, and her mind swam
with wonderful memories. The taste transformed into that of gigantic popcorn
balls the sheriff’s wife down the street made for Halloween trick-or-treaters,
accompanied by images of Lyra’s costume—a red, fringed gypsy skirt borrowed from
Mom. Next came a pumpkin flavor and vision of holding a cold piece of
“punky-pie” in her five-year-old hand. Another swallow returned her experience
back to anise. “What is this? How did you know?”

“Let me introduce
myself.” His grin spread into a smile as his eyes met hers. He took a step
closer. “I’m Cullen, Cullen Drake, and I know many things. What I don’t know is
what sort of books you like to read.”

His keen interest
caused heat to rise in her cheeks. “Well, actually I have several favorites, all
fantasy and magical realism. You have a number of authors I like in this
section.” She turned to refer to the shelves behind her, but found non-fiction
hunting guides instead. “This case held classic fantasy a moment ago!”

Cullen put down
his cup. “It moved. It’s over here, and I have just what you want.” He slid an
old-fashioned library ladder along its track, set the locking device, and
climbed straight up to the top shelf.

Lyra followed,
walking between four comfortable leather club chairs grouped on a Persian rug.
A portrait of a young girl and a man wearing a cloak caught her attention.
Something seemed familiar in the child’s smile.

The noise of books
sliding on shelves distracted her. She moved to the base of his ladder and
glanced up. The ceiling of embossed tin panels decorated with Victorian
teardrop chandeliers and paper Chinese dragons made a unique combination, to be
sure.

But Lyra was more curious
about the strange happenings in the store and its owner. He was certainly odd, although not the
bookish, geeky sort who usually ran bookshops she frequented. He had an
athletic frame and strong legs.

“Can’t find it!” he
exclaimed and quickly descended. His brow furrowed, he dusted off his hands on
his shorts. “I’ve got to find that volume for you. If you don’t mind me saying,
there’s a sadness about you. The book will make you happier than you’ve been
since those days of licorice shoe strings.”

“After magical tea
and shifting bookcases, I almost believe you.” She laughed to cover her
concerns. Even four months after it was final, she worried that the loneliness
she felt after her divorce blazed like a beacon on her forehead. But, Cullen
knew so much—it startled her…actually, intrigued her. Her ex didn’t ever see
inside her, didn’t want to. This man read her as though he knew her. Did he? He
seemed so familiar.

“Once I find that
book, I promise, you’ll be pleased.” He stroked his goatee. “Hmm. Where did I
last see it?” The twinkle in his gray-blue eyes captivated Lyra. “Will you be
here for the week? I can look for it and call you later.”

“I’m staying the rest
of the summer with my elderly Aunt Jean. She owns a lovely cottage at the end
of Walnut overlooking Lake Huron. I thought I’d keep her company and give her
time away from her nurse during my teaching break. While I’m here, I plan to
write my novel.”

“Great! You’re a
writer? What do you teach?”

“Yes, and I teach
American Literature at Southern University in Florida. Seems like you already
would’ve known that since you jumped into my childhood memories,” she
stammered, attempting some humor. Taking a long draught of the tea, her mind
filled with memories of her pet dachshund wiggling next to her, displacing a
row of dolls. Another part of her past he knew—impossible! Her forehead beaded
with sweat.

“No, only thoughts
associated with a lot of emotion, like the happiness of snuggling with your
dog.”

“How?” she
exclaimed, shaking her head. “I don’t understand.” Her mind swam, trying to
grasp what happened. She desperately needed some fresh air. With trembling
hands she set the cup down.

“I realize it must
seem odd, but the book I’m looking for will help explain.” He leaned closer
with a smile that somehow reassured her. “This is Saturday. If you can come by
next Wednesday morning, I think I should have it for you by then…if you’d
like.” He paused and looked into her eyes, waiting for a reply.

“Yes…I’m curious.”
In spite of the confusion, she found herself agreeing. “Wednesday will work.”

“Fine. Let me take
down your number in case I can’t find it.” He walked to the counter and located
a notepad and pen. She dictated her number and full name, which he repeated,
“Lyra McCauley, a lovely Celtic name for a pretty lady.”

“I think I need to
go now. Thanks for the tea.” With shaking fingers, she collected her shopping
bag and headed toward the door.

He escorted her
out and offered his hand to shake, the corners of his goatee lifting into an
inviting grin. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

Lyra smiled and
looked into his eyes, trying to discern his unusual clairvoyant gift. “You
too.” The initial touch, of his palm against hers, sent electrical shivers
along her arm. She jerked, yet didn’t let go, fascinated by the strong emotions
flashing through her mind—attraction, excitement, and acceptance. After an
awkwardly long pause, she dropped his hand, half-stumbled over the threshold
into the sunshine, and took a long, deep breath.

She ambled to an
outdoor café a couple blocks farther down Tenth Street, while her mind buzzed
with questions. How did he know those things about her? She dropped onto a seat
at an empty table, shaded by an umbrella. He was fascinating and frightening at
the same time…and familiar. Her divorce and loss of her parents left her
lonely. He intrigued her.

“May I get you something to drink while you
look over the menu?” The waitress interrupted with a bright young voice, a
college student working a summer job.

Startled back to
reality, Lyra murmured, “Just water, please.” Alone in a crowd of lunch goers,
her thoughts returned to the bookstore and many unanswered questions.

The waitress
placed a glass of water in front of her.

She almost hated
to drink and remove the sweet aftertaste of anise from her tongue.

~ ~ ~

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. The first of her epic fantasy romance series, ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE
LEGENDS, is now available--SEEKING A SCRIBE.She has also authored the Ciel's Legacy series, fantasy romance with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazonand Smashwords.